Detective Sherdil movie review: Diljit Dosanjh's endearing performance can't save this flat film
Detective Sherdil movie review: A billionaire is found dead. It is murder most foul. His will reveals a shocker. His fortune is split between his favourite canine and a complete outsider. Cue, shock and outrage. Enter sharp sleuth Sherdil, and the worms come wriggling out.
On the suspects' list is Pankaj Bhatti's (Boman Irani) entire family, starting with wife Rajeshwari (Ratna Pathak Shah), son Angad (Sumeet Saigal) and daughter Shanti (Banita Sandhu). The dead man's driver is also under the scanner, but the family's ire is directed against Shanti's boyfriend Poorvak (Arjun Tanwar), a deaf-mute like her, who is the biggest recipient of Bhatti's generosity.
There are enough adept actors in this ensemble, led by Dosanjh, for us to expect an engaging whodunit. But the treatment is flat, making the characters even flatter, as they come on to say their lines and disappear into the wings. Why, for example, is this film set in Budapest? At least that's what it seems like, and everyone races around in cars at top speed, screeching to a halt at large mansions and police stations which could be anywhere at all.
The fact that Shanti is hearing-and-speech impaired, and so is her boyfriend, had the potential to lift things. As did Chunky Panday's monkish avataar. But very little sticks. It isn't as if our canny jasoos, a cross between Byomkesh and Karamchand as he describes himself pithily, is not trying his best: we get to hear him speak English which makes for a nice change from his usual Hindi/Punjabi, look slant-eyed at lithe colleague Natasha (Diana Penty) whom he has a bit of history with, play the harmonica everytime he gets a chance, and he gets them a lot, and cracking the case.
Watch Detective Sherdil movie trailer here:
Dosanjh is such an endearing performer that even a sub-par sit com-type script can't really keep him down, even if his voice-ever is never ending. But the others, including sundry foreigners who have been induced to play supporting parts, don't fare as well. Neither does the film.
Detective Sherdil movie cast: Diljit Dosanjh, Boman Irani, Ratna Pathak Shah, Diana Penty, Sumeet Vyas, Banita Sandhu, Arjun Tanwar, Chunky Pandey
Detective Sherdil movie director: Ravi Chhabriya
Detective Sherdil movie rating: 1.5 stars
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
32 minutes ago
- India Today
Boman Irani recalls Sunil Dutt ordering 23 umbrellas so crew could eat together
Veteran actor Boman Irani will soon be seen in Anupam Kher's 'Tanvi The Great'. Known for his memorable roles in films like 'Munna Bhai MBBS' and '3 Idiots', he recently reflected on how the culture on film sets has changed over the an exclusive chat with India Today, recalling a heartwarming memory from his first commercial film, 'Munna Bhai MBBS', Irani shared, 'Sunil Dutt saab came on set and was surprised. He asked, 'Why is everybody going to their vans?' He stopped everyone and said, 'Please, I don't care. Bring 23 beach umbrellas, set up a nice circle — sab log yaar, khana saath mein khayenge (everyone will eat together).''advertisementThe actor went on to express his nostalgia for that era. 'That era is gone. Now people go to their vans. Everyone eats separately. And I feel that camaraderie on set — people eating together — that really matters.' While the on-set dynamics may have shifted, Boman finds inspiration in the new generation of actors. 'What really impresses me today is the youngsters. They prepare very well, which is really, really good. Some of them come from drama school, some from theatre — and those are the ones who are truly prospering.'He also emphasised the importance of preparation in acting, quoting legendary Hollywood actor Spencer Tracy: 'Learn your lines, hit your marks, and don't walk into the furniture.' Boman added, 'It sounds simple, but it means: just come prepared. Nobody's asking you to solve E = mc. It's a simple job — as long as you're prepared, that should be good."'Tanvi The Great' is scheduled for release on July 18 in theatres. Must Watch
India Today
32 minutes ago
- India Today
Fact Check: NOT Israeli woman crying over her destroyed house, this video is from Syria
Parts of Tel Aviv, the capital of Israel, suffered some serious damage from Iranian missiles, which struck several high-rise buildings. A video of a woman crying in the midst of rubble is now going clip featured the Israeli flag, and was shared with captions like: "She is crying because she lost her home. My satisfaction level is..." implying she is an Israeli woman who lost her home amid the military India Today Fact Check, however, found that the video is not from Israel but from Syria. It also predates the present Iran-Israel PROBEListening to the woman in the viral video speak immediately makes it clear that the video is from Syria. She can be heard saying in English, "I am back to my home, my home is in Darayya, the suburbs of Damascus." Damascus is the capital of reverse-searching keyframes from the viral video led us to the original clip, posted by professional Syrian swimmer Yusra Mardini on March 14, three months before the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran began."I'm my home doesn't stand.. I want to share what I feel with you because this is not just about me, this is what many Syrians are going through right pain and trauma. This is the home I grew up in, drew my dreams of becoming the best woman I could be, and even washed dad's car with him in the neighbourhood. Yes, my home is just rubble, but those memories will always give me the strength to move forward," read Mardini's caption, making it obvious that the video is not from Israel but from an NDTV report, Mardini left war-torn Syria in 2015, when she was 17, and went on to compete in the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games. Another report from Al Arabiya, published on March 28, featured her homecoming after almost a decade. Mardini's return marked a full-circle moment for the 27-year-old, whose dramatic escape from the war was documented in the Netflix film 'The Swimmers'.Thus, it is abundantly clear that a video from Syria was falsely shared as a video from InMust Watch Want to send us something for verification? Please share it on our at 73 7000 7000 You can also send us an email at factcheck@
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Priyanka Chopra reveals she lost part of her eyebrow during action scene in 'Heads of State'
Jonas kicked off the promotion of Heads of State with a dynamic appearance on The Tonight Show Starring . Portraying Noel Bisset, she offered fans an exclusive glimpse into the film's making, sharing funny stories, intense moments, and behind-the-scenes insights during her lively chat with Fallon. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Building Friendship on Set The actress shared amusing stories from the set, including playful moments and her efforts to build a strong connection between and Idris Elba, which enhanced their on-screen rapport. She also recalled a standout moment when she lost part of her eyebrow during an intense action scene, all part of the mission to save the world. Embracing the Injury with Pride Revealing her fearless approach to action roles, Priyanka proudly showcased her injury, sharing a rare photo and calling the scar a cherished memento from the film. Her sharp wit, unwavering determination, and passion highlight her commitment to pushing boundaries and delivering unforgettable performances. The Eyebrow Incident Priyanka shared that during a rainy scene where she was supposed to roll on the floor and fall, the camera, equipped with a matte box, was meant to move in close to her. However, as both she and the camera operator moved closer, the matte box accidentally took out a chunk of her eyebrow. She expressed relief that it didn't injure her eye. To continue filming without delay, she used surgical glue to fix the injury and finished the day's shoot, as she didn't want to return to shoot in the rain again. About 'Heads of State' Helmed by , 'Heads of State' is an action-comedy starring Idris Elba, John Cena, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, supported by Paddy Considine, Stephen Root, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, and Sarah Niles. Set to premiere on Prime Video on July 2, the film offers a thrilling and funny experience, available in multiple languages including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada.
